OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports organization of camp for young athletes

With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Directorate for Sports and Youth, the Regional Youth Co-operation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office in Montenegro organized the fourth youth camp on “Intercultural Competencies in Sports”, from 19 to 21 April 2022 in Budva for 15 young athletes from different sports disciplines.

In her welcoming address, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head and Programme Co-ordinator of the Mission, emphasized the importance of providing young athletes with the opportunity to talk, share and learn about how they can foster peace-building and conflict resolution efforts.

“Sports is a place where stereotypes are overcome and persons from different backgrounds and cultures find common ground and respect for one another. We look to you to think how to build on the positive influence of sports with children and youths, look at it as a way to include vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, and as a way to foster intercultural exchange and conflict resolution,” said Leirtroe.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants expressed hope to continue this process to exchange experiences. Miljan Lončar from the Swimming Club for people with disabilities “Mako” said that camps like this were the best way for young to develop and co-operate.  “Through this camp I learned how to recognize prejudices and stereotypes, and find ways to avoid them and correct existing ones. The most important thing is to meet new people. Each of our days have 24 hours and it’s up to us how we decide to use them,” said Lončar.

Edin Koljenović, Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro said that RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro, OSCE Mission and the Directorate for Sports and Youth were among the first ones who identified the significance of young athletes in promoting RYCO values and engaging them in intercultural activities.

Marko Begović, Director of the Directorate for Sports and Youth said that co-operation of the Directorate, the OSCE and the RYCO is about providing platforms for youth to be heard.

Upon the completion, participants were awarded with certificates and invited to take part in future RYCO activities.